THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR):
Mr. Speaker, Sir, there are a total of one thousand and eighteen blood
banks in the country. Out of them six hundred and eight blood banks
come under the public sector, If these figures are wrong, then I may
be corrected. (Interruptions)

SHRI RAMESHWAR PATIDAR: This information has been given in Rajya
Sabha (Interruptions)

[English)

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: I am giving you the figures. In the Rajya
Sabha what I have said is this. There are 608 Blood Banks in the
public sector. Since, you have asked about these 1018 Blood Banks, I
am just giving you the break-up of all the Blood Banks. There are, as
I said, 1018 Blood Banks, out of them, 608 Blood banks are in the
public sector viz. both in the States as well as in the Centre. There
are private hospitals which are having Blood Banks, their number is
151. There are commercial blood banks, their number is 203. Then,
there are voluntary organisations which are having Blood Banks, their
number is 56. So, the total comes to 1018.

The hon.Member has asked a question

13 Oral Answers

whether, the Blood Banks are licensed. I can tell him that many of the
Blood Banks, even, in the public sector are not licensed. Now, we have
issued a Notification. We propose to make it mandatory that all Blood
Banks in the country, whether in the private sector or in the public
sector or even voluntary organisations which are having Blood Banks,
it will be mandatory for them to get the licence not from the Drug
Controller of the States but the Drug Controller of the Government of
India. If any Blood Bank does not conform to the rules indicated or
made by the Health Ministry or the Drug Controller of the Government
of India in this regard, the power of the Drug Controller of the
Government of India will be that, after due notice,cancel the licence.

So, we are already at it. We have issued necessary instructions that
all Blood Banks should be licensed and those which are not licensed so
far will get licence subject to the specifications...(Interruptions)
SHRI RAM NAIK: What about registration? Why should it be done by
the Central Government and why not by the State Government?

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: So far, the State Governments were doing the
registration. The State Drug Controllers have also said that this
authority should rest with the Central authority because if any Blood
Bank contravenes the rules, the Central authority will have the power
to cancel, after adequate notice is given to them.

So, before we cancel that, we have to see that they conform to
the rules mentioned or indicated or circulated by the Drug Controller
of the Government of India. So, the licence will be given on the
condition that they use the latest modern technique or get the blood
from the blood donors, preferably, those who are voluntary donors.

[Translation]

SHRI RAMESHWAR PATIDAR: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Indian Red Cross
Society and other commercial blood banks had issued a notification and
under that they have

14 Oral Answers

demanded financial assistance from the Central Government. The demand
of the Indian Red Cross Society is lying pending with the Government.

Would the Government provide any financial assistance to such
commercial blood bank or red Cross Society. According to the records
of Delhi Administration the samples which had been issued safe
certificates out of them 499 samples were found to be having HIV Virus
which infected the people. The Government has said that according to
the Rao Committee in 1962 and Fergusan Committee in 1982, the
commercial blood banks are meeting the requirements of 43 percent
patients in Delhi. The Medical report is that their samples are not
upto the mark. What stern action the Government will take against it.

MR. SPEAKER: If you will ask so many questions, you will not get
proper answer and that will create problems.

SHRI RAMESHWAR PATIDAR: People acquire so many dangerous diseases
through the blood of professional donors who are drug addicts and who
are selling their own blood because of poverty. May I know whether the
Government is formulating any law so as to prevent the habitual donors
from donating the blood and insisting blood of the relatives only
would be give to the patients?

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: There is a need of nearly 40 lakh units of
blood in our country, but with great difficulty we hardly get only 20
lakh units of blood and the professional donors provide only 29 per
cent. The hon. Member has rightly said that the professional blood
donors or such blood banks which accept their blood, shall be declared
illegal and should be closed down. But the difficulty is that if we
close them absolutely, there will be shortage of blood in the country,
because it is required in hospitals. That is why we have tried to
regulate the blood banks. Through this, action would taken against a
bank if it does not follow the rules laid down for the blood bank. The
hon Member mentioned about the Redcross There are 50 blood banks in
Orissa and 49 blood banks belong to the Indian Red Cross Of these, 22
are unlicensed. The third poin

15 Oral Answers

mentioned by the hon. Member was whether any grant or allowance would
be paid to such banks. I would say that other than the public sector,
we shall help such organisations by giving some grants to voluntary
organisations. There is no question of giving such grants to non
Governmental organisations and to professional blood donors.

[English]

SHRI ARJUN CHARAN SETHI: The hon. Minister has just stated while
answering to the question that Government has made it mandatory on the
part of Blood Banks to have testing facility for HIV-positive;
otherwise their licences will be cancelled. May I know from the hon.

Minister, when this was made mandatory how many Blood Banks they have
confirmed as per the guidelines issued to them.

So far as Zonal Laboratory Testing Centres are concerned, how
many of them have testing facilities for HIV positive as well as AIDS?

In the State Government sector how many Blood banks are functioning in
the Government hospitals? Do they also these testing facilities for
HIV-positive as well as AIDS cases?

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: Two questions arise from the question of the
hon. Member. One is about the testing facilities. This HIV testing has
to be done where the blood has to be transfused into a patient. Once
it is deposited in a bank, it goes to the blood bank, from there it
goes to the zonal centre and in the zonal centre in case it is proved
that it tests HIV positive, then that blood has to be disposed off. We
have made all the arrangements in the zonal banks for HIV positive
testing. So far as the blood banks at the lower level are concerned,
by the end of the financial year we will have in all the district of
the country blood banks equipped with most modern equipment.

At this time - I think I have already given the figures-we have a
large number of blood banks in different parts of the country in
different hospitals. In addition to

16 Oral Answers

that, to save blood we are just having blood component separation
facilities available in the country. We propose to have about 30 such
units in the country in the coming three years. This year we are
proposing to have four such units in the country in the four
metropolitan cities of Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta and Madras. Next year,
we will be having nine and in the third year we will be having 17 such
facilities available in the country. This will save lot of blood and
our demand for blood, I think, according to this facility will be
met to a large extent.

SHRI ANANTRAO DESHMUKH: In the recently held International AIDS
Conference in Amsterdem the head of the Micro-biology Department of
K.E.M. Hospital, was also a participant. He has observed that the
virus HIV - II which also causes AIDS, which was not found in India
during the last one year, has also been found in India now. This is
going to have grave implications on our AIDS control programme. I
would like to know from the hon. Minister whether the regional
laboratories and the commercial blood banks set-up by the Government
are fully equipped to detect the presence of HIV-II virus; if not what
does the Government propose to do thin this regard?

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR : I am happy that the hon. Member takes note of
what happens at the international level and it is a matter of period
for us that one of our Indians has investigated this thing. We are
aware of this. Till this time we have ordered for such kits which
would test only HIV-I Now we have ordered others and those kits
have come in Bombay which will test HIV -II also. For the information
of the hon. Member, medical science is not static. It is very rapidly
advancing. Today we have HIV - II, may be tomorrow we will have HIV -
III and the day after HIV-IV. We are taking care of it. As the medical
science advances we will make available in the country kits which can
test HIV-I, II, III and so on. That will be taken care of.

[Translation]

SHRI SURYA NARAYAN YADAV: Mr.

17 Oral Answers

Speaker, Sir, as far as blood is concerned, it is an essential item
and most of the diseases are transmitted through blood. In all the
metropolitan cities, the number of Blood Banks is more, and it is
through these Blood Banks that diseases are communicated. I would like
to tell you that the blood of villagers is more clean but the Indian
Government has not set up a blood bank in any block so far. I would
like to know whether the Government intends to set up blood banks in
each block headquarter?

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: Perhaps the Member is also hailing from a
village. Even I take pride in having a rural background. Such diseases
do not affect the villagers, and these diseases are mostly spread in
the cities. Once the disease spreads in the city, by and by it
spreads, in the villages also. So, first of all we will control the
hubs in the city. Later on, in case the spokes of the hub travel to
rural areas we will be supplying modern equipment to every district
Hospital for H.I.V. positive test.

SHRI SURYA NARAYAN YADAV: Please inform us the time by which the
task would be completed, i.e. would it be done according to a time-
bound programme?

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: We would be able to complete the time bound
programme by the end of March, 1993.

[English]

DR. RAJAGOPALAN SRIDHARAN: Sir, I would like to know about this
HIV 2 virus that has been recently harnessed by the Microbiologist
from Bombay. And the kit that was recently supplied was only with
respect to HIV - 1. These groups have not yet reached us. I would like
to know whether he is going to issue the kit for HIV 2 virus, which
has been harnessed in India recently.

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: We have already ordered for such kits.

SHRI SYED SHAHABUDDIN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, a blood bank is an
essential

18 Oral Answers

perquisite of a modern hospital and it was so even before this AIDS
alarm began ringing. However, Sir, there are many districts in the
country which do not have a blood bank facility in the public sector
and even in the district hospital which is the key link in the chain
of the health services of the country. So, I would like to know from
the hon. Minister the number of such districts in the country today,
which do not have a blood bank in the district hospital, that is to
say, in the public sector; and the time limit for the modernisation of
the existing blood bank facilities in the public sector that the
Minister has just talked about, installing modern equipment without
which licensing shall not be permitted. He has already given a time
limit for the establishment of new blood banks. I would like to know
the time limit for the modernisation of the existing blood banks and
the number of districts which do not have a blood banks as of today.

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: I would like to tell the hon. Member and share
with him that fortunately I have not received any case of AIDS from
Bihar so far. It is a happy news.

The second thing is that I have not said that we are going to
open new blood banks. I do not say by that that there may not be any
AIDS patient of HIV positive. But no report,, no surveillance report
suggest this so far.

The hon. Member has asked whether we are going to have new blood
banks. I did not say that we are going to have new blood banks. All I
said was that by March 1993, we are going to upgrade all the district
level blood banks in the country, in the public sector. That is what I
said. And I adhere to that, and in your State also, we will see the
list. I know your problem, you will be having three districts. I will
also take note of that.

SHRI SYED SHAHABUDDIN: Sir, my question has not been answered. I
wanted to know the number of districts which do not have any blood
bank at all ... (Interruptions)

(c) the policy and strategy recommended for the control and
prevention of diabetes in this symposium; and

(d) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

[English]

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE (SHRIMATI D.K. THARADEVI SIDDHARTHA): (a) to (d). A statement
is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) and (c). Diabetic Self Care Foundation, New Delhi in
collaboration with National Media Centre organised a Seminar in New
Delhi on 27.6.92 to discuss various problems related to diabetes. The
above seminar was attended by medical experts, social scientists and
media persons, who called for a massive compaign to create awareness
for effective control of the disease.

(d) The Government is stepping up health education programmes for
all major diseases including diabetes.

20 Oral Answers

[Translation]

SHRI PARAS RAM BHARDWAJ: Mr. Speaker, Sir, has the Central

Government conducted any survey to assess the number of diabetes
patients in the country, and their age group? If so, what are the
statewise details?

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: We do not have such figures.

SHRI PARAS RAM BHARDWAJ: May I know whether the number of people
afflicted with diabetes is greater in cities or in villages? Has the
Government set up any organisation for the welfare of diabetics or has
the opinion of experts been sought? It so, the details thereof and the
amount of assistance provided so far? Secondly, In any help being
provided by the W.H.O.? If so, the way in which they are rendering
help?

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: May I tell the hon. Member clearly that

diabetes is not for the poor people, mainly the affluent class is a
victim of this disease ... .(Interruptions)

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: I would like to tell the hon. Member, please
listen to me first...(Interruptions) The hon. Member said that I am
diabetic perhaps. I am not a diabetic. By the grace of God I am not a
diabetic so far.. (Interruptions)

SHRI DAU DAYAL JOSJHI: Hon. Minister please correct yourself,
because whatever you are saying about the poor, is not right.

As regards diabetes I have said that incidents of this disease
are more in urban areas than in villages. But the present question is
related to Self Care Foundation. It means that one should take care of
oneself. No cure is necessary. There are some yogic exercises in
Aurveda for this ... (Interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: Please stop your running commentary.

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: That can control diabetes. Secondly, he has
asked as to what help do we give? As far as help is concerned we can
provide monetary help for imparting training in yogic exercise and
educating people about it. (can be extended) This help to N.G.O's
only.

SHRI BAPU HARI CHAURE: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Diabetes Self Care
Foundation and the Indian National Diabetes Association, Bombay are
working together. The main objective of Diabetes Self Care Foundation
is to create awareness among people for effective control of this
disease. It has also been included alongwith other Government
programmes. This programme is specially implemented under the National
Diabetes Eradication Programme. This institution also does the same
work. I would, therefore, like to know fromthe hon. Minister whether
financial assistance will be provided to these institutions which do
the same work as the Government does. Secondly, initially some
districts were identified under the national Diabetes Eradication
Programme. I would like to know whether the Government is going to
implement this programme in the whole country? Thirdly, I would like
to point out to the hon. Minister that this programme is organised by
the United Nations on 27th June every year. I would like to know as to
why this programme is not being organised

22 oral Answers

in India while India is an important member of the U.N.O?

SHRI M.L. FOTEDAR: The Hon. Member said that this Diabetes Self
Care Foundation has organised it in collaboration with one such
foundation of Bombay. I would like to say only this much that this
Self Care Foundation should take care of itself. If they have
organised such a programme to demand money from the Government, then I
shall verify whether the foundation wants money or wants to impart
medical education. I will make a thorough probe into it. Secondly, as
far as health education is concerned, health is a State subject and
diabetes is a subject which should be handled by the States.

[English]

I do not think central intervention for such a subject is
necessary now.

[Translation]

MR. SPEAKER: Now, the person I am asking to put question to a
member who is not suffering from diabetes but knows much about the
disease.

SHRI DAUDAYAL JOSHI: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to state that
there are 20 types of 'Prameh' disease in Ayurveda. Allopathy speaks
of diabetes only. It is said that "Sarvev prahmehastu kalen
pratikarin.